WASHINGTON – As sweeping health care reform inches closer to a vote in Congress, some Americans could be left out. The U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are not included in parts of the proposals being considered.
Democratic Del. Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands, is working to ensure that the territories are part of all aspects of health reform, even the Healthcare Exchange, which would include a public option.
Christensen also worries about potential plans in the House to phase out of the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) after it expires in 2013. This would mean that children’s coverage would become part of the Healthcare Exchange.
If the Virgin Islands are left out of the exchange, many of its children would be without health care coverage.
Christensen said that her constituents don’t deserve this exclusion.
“As American citizens who have fought in every war and conflict of this country, who have contributed in many ways to our nation, we should not have to fight because of the cost of extending full coverage to what amounts to about 4.5 million people [in the Virgin Islands],” said Christensen.